How To Insure A Youth Sports Team In 6 Steps
You are starting a new season. Registration is open. Parents are signing up their kids. Coaches are planning practices. And somewhere on your to-do list, buried between ordering uniforms and reserving field time, is this: get insurance.
If you are a league president, treasurer, or camp director, you already know that insurance is important. But knowing it is important and knowing how to actually get the right coverage are two very different things.
The good news? It does not have to be complicated. At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we have helped thousands of youth sports programs get covered since 1973. Here is a simple six-step process to make sure your organization is protected before the first whistle blows.
Step 1: Understand what coverage you need
There are two core coverages that most youth sports programs need:
General liability insurance protects your organization against claims for bodily injury to third parties, property damage, and personal injury. Most venues and municipalities require it before they will let you use their facilities.
Excess accident medical insurance covers medical expenses for participants who are injured during practices or games. It supplements the family’s personal health insurance, and if a participant does not have health insurance, it can serve as primary coverage. The typical deductible is $250.
Depending on your program, you may also want to consider sexual abuse and molestation coverage (strongly recommended for any youth-serving organization), equipment coverage, and directors and officers insurance.
Step 2: Know your program details
Before you request a quote, gather the basics: what sport or sports you offer, how many participants you have, the age range of your players, and the dates of your season. Your insurance provider will need this information to give you an accurate quote.
At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we cover youth football (tackle, flag, and 7-on-7) for participants up to age 15, and all other sports for participants 18 and under.
Step 3: Get quotes from providers who specialize in youth sports
General insurance agents can write a policy for almost anything. But youth sports insurance has specific nuances that generalists may not understand. A provider that specializes in youth sports will know the risk profile of your sport, the coverage requirements of your venues, and the needs of your participants.
When comparing quotes, make sure you are comparing the same coverage types and limits. A lower premium does not always mean a better deal if the coverage is thinner.
Step 4: Request your certificates of insurance
Once your policy is in place, you will need certificates of insurance (COIs) to provide to venues, parks departments, and anyone else who requires proof of coverage. Many facilities will also ask to be named as an additional insured on your policy.
This is one of the areas where Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance really stands out. Our turnaround time on certificates is fast. As Douglas Murphy, one of our clients, put it, “When we had an emergency and needed a new certificate in literally like 10 minutes, they came through.”
Step 5: Communicate coverage to your coaches and parents
Once you are insured, make sure the people in your program know about it. Let coaches know what coverage is in place and what to do if someone is injured. Let parents know that excess accident medical coverage is part of the program and how it works.
This builds trust with families and gives your coaches confidence that they are supported if something goes wrong.
Step 6: Review your coverage each season
Your program changes from year to year. Maybe you added a new sport. Maybe your participant numbers grew. Maybe a facility now requires higher coverage limits. Before each season, review your policy with your provider to make sure it still fits.
At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we make this easy. Our agents know your program and can help you adjust your coverage as your needs evolve.
A quick note on tournaments
If your league hosts a tournament, that is a separate coverage need. Tournament host insurance covers the event itself, typically for one to four consecutive days. If your teams are traveling to compete in someone else’s tournament, they are covered under your existing league policy, so there is no need for additional coverage for travel.
Why this matters
Let’s say you are a league president with 12 teams and a new season starting in six weeks. You have been putting off the insurance piece because it seems overwhelming. But here is the reality: getting covered can be done in a single phone call. We have helped league directors go from their first conversation to a fully active policy in less than a day.
As Michael Ricci, one of our long-time clients, shared, “The service she provides is outstanding. She makes the process of renewing my insurance easy and simple. I would recommend Bene-Marc to anyone.”
Get started today
At Bene-Marc Youth Sports Insurance, we have been protecting youth sports since 1973. We work with “A+” rated A.M. Best companies, and our licensed agents have over 150 years of combined experience. We are in all 50 states. And a real person answers the phone when you call.
Call us at 800-247-1734 or click here to get started.
Play hard, rest easy, knowing you are covered.
For more on youth sports participation and safety, visit the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.
